The cost to heat and cool your home totals more than half of your utility bills. That’s why it’s so important to look for a system that offers superior comfort in your Libertyville home while still ensuring energy efficient. Better energy efficiency means your system is working well while using less energy. Whether you are looking into a replacement air conditioner or furnace or considering to upgrade your current equipment to be more energy efficient, there are some ratings to be aware of that will help you during the process. So what exactly do those energy efficiency ratings represent?
SEER (used to measure cooling efficiency)
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER rating considers the effectiveness of your unit at different temperatures, in other words, seasonally in Libertyville. A higher SEER rating indicates a greater energy efficiency, which will turn into lower utility bills. The Department of Energy expects a minimum 13 SEER-rating for cooler states in the north and a 14 SEER-rating minimum for warmer, southern states. If your home has an aged unit with a lower SEER-rating, you could see extreme energy savings after an modern system.
AFUE or HSPF (used to measure heating efficiency: gas or electric)
AFUE stands for Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio and it measures the percentage of heat produced for every dollar of fuel expended. You can think of it as the MPG on your car. The larger the AFUE-rating, the lower your energy costs. If your furnace has a AFUE rating of 80, that signifies that 80% of the heat generated is consumed to heat the home, while 20% of the heat is lost through venting.
HSPF stands for the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor and is used to keep track of the heating productivity of heat pumps. It is the SEER rating for the winter season as it only measures your unit’s heating effectiveness. Similarly, the larger the number, the extra energy efficient the heat pump.
TopTec Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical in Libertyville offers equipment with the greatest energy efficiency ratings. If you are unsure what the energy ratings are of the heating and cooling in your home we would be happy to help you better comprehend to keep your home comfy, while saving money. Give us a call at 847-362-0262 to set up an appointment with us.